Expertise

Alejandra has experience in international projects, consulting, urban comparative research and analysis, and strategic planning. Her research focus areas are social urbanism, human rights and urban sustainability, and the local-global dynamics of the just transition. She is interested in socio-economic challenges and their potential to be addressed through social innovation and human-centered urbanism. She is a co-author of IHRB’s report “Better Building(s) - Financing Human Rights-Based Decarbonisation in Europe’s Built Environment”.

Current Work

Alejandra leads the research process in eight cities globally under the project “Building for Today and the Future: Advancing Just Transitions in the Built Environment”. This two-year project will strengthen the evidence base, build a collective narrative and vision, and influence key stakeholders to enable a just transition in the built environment. Alejandra also supports the Built Environment team through ecosystem building with human rights and urban development actors globally; as well as the implementation of the ‘Dignity by Design’ Framework – a practical guide to respect human rights throughout the built environment lifecycle.

Prior to her current role, Alejandra worked as a researcher supporting various projects of the built environment. This included primary and secondary research and analysis on European decarbonisation policies, community-led and participatory strategies in the built environment globally, and field research activities in urban planning and human rights in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia in partnership with IHRB’s affiliated organization there, CREER.

Background

Alejandra holds a B.A. in International Relations and Economics from Florida International University (USA), a Master in Urban Studies from the 4CITIES Erasmus Mundus Programme (Brussels, Vienna, Copenhagen and Madrid), and post-graduate studies in International Development from Complutense University of Madrid. 

Alejandra has a wide range of experience in the private sector, NGOs and international organisations across the United States, Latin America and Europe. She has previously been a consultant for UN-ECLAC on international trade and economic affairs, and an EU Horizon 2020 Project on community engagement in urban sustainability.